Information courtesy of Disability Equality Scotland

You can see the  story here:-  http://yoursayondisability.scot/weekly-poll-results-covid-19-supermarket-stockpiling-week-beginning-23-march/

Here are the results of the Survey

There Just one question…

Are you concerned about shortages of products in supermarkets across Scotland caused by panic buying?

Results:

Yes – 92% (45 respondents) No – 8% (4 respondent)

Comments made as part of the survey

• Vulnerable People Missing Out

“People are selfishly stripping the shelves bare and it’s disgusting. If people just stuck to the usual amount they bought we wouldn’t be having this discussion. I have to shop for my elderly mother who is 88 tomorrow and we can’t even get the basics. It means me having to go to several shops and expose myself to even more risk of catching the coronavirus and then passing it on to my mum. Anyone who has hoarded toilet roll or anything else should be deeply ashamed of themselves.”

“The way many people have behaved stockpiling foods and toilet rolls is shocking and upsetting as their actions meant that people who are vulnerable to this virus were left without.”

“I am concerned about the lack of produce available and the lack of help available for people that have to stay indoors to their health. What measures have been put in place to help people like us? Not everyone has someone that can go shop for them and the availability of delivery slots is ridiculous.”

“Disgraceful when it is those who are vulnerable that suffer.”

“When I can get someone to take me to the supermarket the shelves are empty. People are so selfish and there are no delivery slots. I’m scared to go out when my carer or family offer to help.”

• Online Deliveries

“Even worse than stockpiling is being unable to get groceries delivered. The only delivery service in my area was provided by Tesco. But they have stopped doing home deliveries which are very worrying because I am over 70 and not supposed to go out.”

“It has become incredibly stressful. I am housebound normally anyway and rely on food deliveries, I have not been able to get a delivery slot for weeks and am struggling to eat and mostly living off of cereal. I worry this will affect my immune system and I am more likely to get ill. Carers don’t have time either to help with shopping. There is help for older people in my area with meals, but this doesn’t include younger people with disabilities.”

“I tried to register under Sainsbury’s scheme but they changed the rules about disabled customers. So now to get a booking slot you need to be classed as “extremely vulnerable” by the Government. I went to the link to see if I qualified, only to discover that this doesn’t even apply in Scotland. So, I’ve no idea now how Scottish customers register for priority delivery slots.”

“Government’s solution to getting food while self-isolating due to vulnerable health is to shop online – This is not an option in rural parts at all! So, what do those of us living rurally with minimal support actually do to stay fed and healthy? Seems like the only option ultimately is to starve.”

“Impossible to get the online order. Have struggled to purchase easy to cook/make food products. Have had to rely on family to travel from Glasgow to come and drive around food stores to ensure I had suitable food products for the week ahead.”

“The issue was around the lack of delivery slots which seems to be being resolved. I presume the ones doing the panic buying will get fed up sooner rather than later.”

• Quicker Action from Supermarkets

“Supermarkets should have acted quicker to stop stockpiling. Better guidelines to staff and limiting offers to one per customer.”

“Things seem to be settling down a bit, but supermarkets etc should have limited what people were buying immediately and the serious shortages would not have happened to such an extent.”

“Restrictions should have been limiting individual purchases as soon as the problem was recognised – 2 weeks ago.”

“Supermarkets should have limits introduced weeks ago.”

“In my opinion, I believe the supermarkets are doing what they can to help vulnerable people and the NHS to shop but there are those in society that are selfish and only think of themselves. Perhaps it is now time for Government to get a bit tougher on those who are stockpiling, as it appears they’re not listening to what’s been said!”